Danni Thexton and the 16-year-old roan gelding Cushag Ffinlo (Chuckie) claimed the overall 7one7 Engineering Ltd SSADL championship sash at the 2026 Agria Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), adding the supreme title to victory in the 7one7 Engineering Ltd SSADL in-hand final.
“I bought him as a three-year-old and showed him under saddle,” said Danni. “We sold him to a friend for their daughter, but when they couldn‘t bear to part with him they asked if we’d have him back.”
Chuckie‘s life has taken a very different direction since returning home. Rather than spending his days in the show ring, he now works as a much-loved riding school pony at Danni’s yard in Kendal, Cumbria, introducing young riders to horses.
“He now teaches lots of little people the ropes in our riding school,” said Danni. “He absolutely loves showing and it means so much that we can still give him the chance to come out and shine away from the riding school.”
The pair returned to Hickstead in outstanding form after winning the in-hand title and standing reserve supreme here in 2025, going one better this term to secure the overall championship.
“This year we’ve gone one better than last,” she said. “I honestly couldn't be prouder of him.”
Reserve supreme honours went to Shemika Snip, the 26-year-old skewbald owned and exhibited by Kelsey Bishop, after finishing runner-up in the SSADL in-hand championship.
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Shemika Snip and Kelsey Bishop
(Image credit: Equinational)
Isabella Stagg and her 18-year-old “Holly” won the ridden final. Isabella has owned the eventer from a five-year-old, so their partnership spans 13 years.
They're due to go to the British Riding Clubs horse trials championships at 80cm next week, but they‘ve also been to Badminton grassroots four times and they were champion working show horse at the London International Horse Show in 2024.
“That was just a dream come true,“ said Isabella reflecting on her London win. “I really didn’t think she’d then have another championship win in her!”
Isabella says she’s had health problems this year that have made riding difficult.
“I haven’t been able to ride her as much as I’d like. But even when I’ve felt that I couldn’t get out of bed, the thought of getting up to see Holly helps me get up in the morning. She’s more than just a horse, she’s my best friend.”
Having only started showing when the For Compliment daughter turned 15, Isabella intends to keep going with Holly, adding that the born performer “loves a crowd, loves applause and lights up when she hears a microphone”.
Kim is a Scotland-based freelance equestrian journalist who writes for Horse & Hound and The Scottish Farmer, reporting from many of the UK’s leading showing championships, including the Royal International Horse Show, Horse of the Year Show, Royal Highland Show and Royal Windsor Horse Show. Alongside her journalism, Kim produces and campaigns show ponies for her daughter, Charlotte, giving her first-hand insight into the sport from both a competitor’s and reporter’s perspective.
